Takahashi Shōtei · Mount Fuji from Mizukubo · PRE-WAR EDITION · Shin-hanga Landscape - Japan - 20th century
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€ 281
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Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 350 - € 450
 | €281 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €260 | |
| €240 | |
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Description from the seller
** The design was first issued by Watanabe around 1936, and this impression comes from that pre-war period, identified by the Watanabe copyright cartouche (D Seal) in the right margin. Pre-war printings of Mizukubo use a restrained, almost greyscale palette, with Fuji and the sky held in soft tones. Post-war printings, from 1946 onward, carry a small round Watanabe seal instead and are printed with noticeably stronger purple and lavender hues. **
Artist: Takahashi Shōtei (高橋松亭), signing as Hiroaki (弘明)
Title: Mizukubo (水久保), Mount Fuji from Mizukubo
Technique: Woodblock print, shin-hanga
Date: Design c. 1936; pre-war impression
Publisher: Watanabe Shōzaburō
Format: Horizontal ōban
Signature: Hiroaki, with red artist's seal
Seals: Watanabe D Seal copyright cartouche in the right margin (版権所有 不許複製 渡邊庄三郎)
Dimensions: approx. 40*28
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Condition
Light sun exposure has shifted the colour palette warmer than the original grey-toned printing. The composition as a whole is very well preserved. Please refer to the images!
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ABOUT THE WORK
Takahashi Shōtei was the first artist Watanabe Shōzaburō recruited in 1907, and he designed more prints for Watanabe than any other artist of the shin-hanga movement. The Great Kantō earthquake of 1923 destroyed Watanabe's workshop and with it the blocks for around five hundred of Shōtei's early designs. In the years that followed he rebuilt his output, and in the 1930s he produced a group of larger landscapes of Mount Fuji that rank among his best-known work.
Mizukubo belongs to that group. Shōtei was known above all for twilight, night and weather, and this is one of his quietest scenes of that kind: Fuji catching the last or first light while the village below stays in shadow, with only a few lit windows. An impression of the same design is held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and another by the Art Institute of Chicago.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
** The design was first issued by Watanabe around 1936, and this impression comes from that pre-war period, identified by the Watanabe copyright cartouche (D Seal) in the right margin. Pre-war printings of Mizukubo use a restrained, almost greyscale palette, with Fuji and the sky held in soft tones. Post-war printings, from 1946 onward, carry a small round Watanabe seal instead and are printed with noticeably stronger purple and lavender hues. **
Artist: Takahashi Shōtei (高橋松亭), signing as Hiroaki (弘明)
Title: Mizukubo (水久保), Mount Fuji from Mizukubo
Technique: Woodblock print, shin-hanga
Date: Design c. 1936; pre-war impression
Publisher: Watanabe Shōzaburō
Format: Horizontal ōban
Signature: Hiroaki, with red artist's seal
Seals: Watanabe D Seal copyright cartouche in the right margin (版権所有 不許複製 渡邊庄三郎)
Dimensions: approx. 40*28
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition
Light sun exposure has shifted the colour palette warmer than the original grey-toned printing. The composition as a whole is very well preserved. Please refer to the images!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT THE WORK
Takahashi Shōtei was the first artist Watanabe Shōzaburō recruited in 1907, and he designed more prints for Watanabe than any other artist of the shin-hanga movement. The Great Kantō earthquake of 1923 destroyed Watanabe's workshop and with it the blocks for around five hundred of Shōtei's early designs. In the years that followed he rebuilt his output, and in the 1930s he produced a group of larger landscapes of Mount Fuji that rank among his best-known work.
Mizukubo belongs to that group. Shōtei was known above all for twilight, night and weather, and this is one of his quietest scenes of that kind: Fuji catching the last or first light while the village below stays in shadow, with only a few lit windows. An impression of the same design is held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and another by the Art Institute of Chicago.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
20th century
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Title of artwork
Takahashi Shōtei · Mount Fuji from Mizukubo · PRE-WAR EDITION · Shin-hanga Landscape
Condition
Good condition
Authenticity
Original/official
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